Film and Video Editors salary in Illinois
Film and Video Editors in Illinois earn a median of $72,460 a year ($34.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 310 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,720 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $75,420. Illinois ranks 12th of 42 states for film and video editors pay. There are 0.05 film and video editors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.30). The average (mean) salary is $77,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for film and video editors in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,710 | $22.46 |
| 25th percentile | $59,030 | $28.38 |
| Median | $72,460 | $34.84 |
| 75th percentile | $91,340 | $43.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $116,720 | $56.11 |
| Average (mean) | $77,150 | $37.09 |
Half of film and video editors earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,038.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,019.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,786.92 |
| Weekly | $1,393.46 |
| Hourly | $34.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $72,460 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Film and Video Editors salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $78,210 | 250 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $72,300 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for film and video editors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $103,440 |
| District of Columbia | $98,830 |
| Massachusetts | $92,130 |
| California | $88,490 |
| Colorado | $84,620 |
| Connecticut | $83,550 |
| New Jersey | $82,890 |
| Virginia | $78,740 |
| Maryland | $78,380 |
| Utah | $76,240 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Photographer | $36,570 | $17.58 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $100,170 | $48.16 |
| Broadcast Technician | $74,210 | $35.68 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $73,130 | $35.16 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $72,430 | $34.82 |
| Graphic Designer | $62,560 | $30.08 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,120 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $76,380 | $36.72 |
| Editor | $76,060 | $36.57 |
| Producers and Directors | $81,080 | $38.98 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,270 | $19.36 |
| Art Director | $103,550 | $49.79 |
| Writers and Authors | $68,220 | $32.80 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-4032. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a film and video editors make in Illinois?
The median salary for film and video editors in Illinois is $72,460 a year, or $34.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid film and video editors make in Illinois?
The top 10% of film and video editors in Illinois earn at least $116,720 a year. The top 25% earn $91,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for film and video editors in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,710 a year, and a quarter of film and video editors earn $59,030 or less.
How many film and video editors work in Illinois?
About 310 film and video editors are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.